ISDN:

Paving the Way to 64K

Cringe no more. A 64K ISDN (INS-Net 64) connection in Japan has surprisingly reasonable installation and monthly fees, the necessary equipment costs no more than a high-quality modem, and signing up has never been easier.

by Tina Lieu

The installation of isdn (integrated services digital network) lines - NTT's INS-Net 64 - started in Japan in 1988. Initially, demand was slow. By March 1989, fewer than 1,200 lines were in service, and NTT signed up fewer than 80,000 new subscribers annually through FY1993.

So when the recent Internet boom suddenly spurred ISDN demand, NTT was caught off guard. In early 1996, some new subscribers were forced to wait three months or more to get their requested ISDN line installed. Today, the situation is much better, with the wait for an ISDN line being less than two weeks for about 95% of new subscribers. And in over 90% of cases (nearly 100% in Tokyo), analog line subscribers switching over to ISDN can keep their current phone number.

Why ISDN?
Because of Japan's relatively high time-based telephone charges, Japanese Internet users place a high premium on fast connections. One result is the popularity of high-speed digital ISDN phone lines. A standard ISDN line not only lets you download and send data at a top speed of 64K bps (twice the speed of today's standard modems) per channel, but it also offers two channels (the equivalent of two telephone lines) so you can still receive phone calls while you're using the Internet.

[For more background on the technical specifications of ISDN and its development in Japan, see "ISDN: A Solution in Search of a Problem," October 1995, page 37, and "Telecom Goes Digital," April 1996, page 33.-Ed.]

Recently, some Internet service providers (ISPs) have begun 128K ISDN service, but 128K bps is not yet in high demand for a couple of reasons. First, the 128K-bps speed is in fact achieved by combining the ISDN line's two 64K ISDN channels, so that every call made at 128K is charged as two separate phone calls. In other words, the savings of the higher speed are minimal. (And your ISDN terminal adapter must support 128K; some do not.)

Also, while the speed difference between an analog phone connection with a 28.8K-bps modem and 64K ISDN is very noticeable, the difference between 64K and 128K ISDN is less so. The actual speed of data transmission over the Internet depends on several factors, most of them beyond your control (throughput on the Internet is only as fast as its slowest link). And your computer's serial port must have the capacity to make full use of the connection. (Most Intel-based machines only have 115K serial ports, although some newer models go up to 230K.)

Getting an ISDN hookup
As you might expect, if you live in Japan and want an ISDN line, you need to apply to NTT. The best way to do this is to go through an NTT agent that will fill out all the paperwork, answer NTT's esoteric questions, and schedule the installation for you. Not all of them will, however.

One of the few agents who will handle (in English, even) all the paperwork and scheduling is Bricks Corporation (which also does ISDN consulting for businesses). Since agents get a commission from NTT for bringing in customers and orders, ISDN consultation by Bricks is free. Bricks' bilingual representative, director Naomi Nakayama, explains that you need only fill out a simple ISDN order form, and send the information to Bricks by fax or e-mail. Generally within one or two days of applying to Bricks, you will be notified of an installation date about one to two weeks hence.

If you plan on getting an ISDN line, note that you will need to be home on installation day. Also, you must have your terminal adapter (TA) and a digital services unit (DSU) ready.

Previously, persons getting a new ISDN line (that is, those not owning an analog phone line that they wished to switch over to ISDN) had to pay a ¥72,000 subscription fee. In early July, NTT launched an ISDN service that should be attractive to short-term residents of Japan: INS-Net 64 Lite. While the monthly service charge for INS-Net 64 Lite is ¥640 more than for regular ISDN service, there is no up-front subscription fee. Unfortunately, the Lite service cannot be changed for another type without additional fees.

ISDN equipment
To convert digital signals to analog (sound) signals, and vice versa, you'll need a terminal adapter (TA). That means if you want to use an analog phone, fax machine, or modem on an ISDN line, you'll need a TA.

Used in conjunction with the TA is the digital services unit (DSU). The DSU, necessary in all cases, regulates the "line flow" of the ISDN line. Often, you can buy a TA and DSU together - usually the most economical choice. While NTT sells DSUs, an installation fee of ¥20,000 is included in the price. ("Installation" is a simple matter of plugging the ISDN line into the jack of the DSU.)

Most TAs have a digital port (for your computer), two analog ports (for phone, fax, and/or modem), and the ISDN jack. Many come with a battery pack so that you can still use your phone if there is a power failure. TAs with an internal DSU often come with an on/off switch so that you can turn off the DSU in case you already have one. TAs were very expensive in the early '90s, but today a TA with internal DSU can be found in the ¥40,000 range.

All the TAs listed here come with software and cables for both Mac and Windows, and will support an English or Japanese OS. But since the included software is only in Japanese, you'll see only gibberish on the screen unless your computer has Japanese-display capabilities. This can be a problem since to set up your ISDN/PC connection, you must "tell" the TA, via your computer, which socket to use. Bricks' Nakayama says that the lack of a Japanese-capable operating system on their computers and the absence of an English-language manual are the most common difficulties faced by her English-speaking customers.

One important point to note is that TAs and DSUs from overseas will not work in Japan. The ISDN standard in Japan differs from that of the US, as does the electrical current. Also, the US runs 56K ISDN lines in some places.

While most TAs purchased in Japan will work with any computer, before making your purchase it is best to ask your ISP to recommend TAs that they have tested and found to work well with their system. When consulted for this article, spokespersons at ISPs TWICS and Global OnLine Japan (GOL) both recommended TAs made by NEC, NTT, and Suntac. GOL also recommended US Robotics' TAs as well as Mitec Surfing Board 64 (an ISDN board) and Oki's PCLINK.

TAs with internal DSU sold in Japan include the following.

• NEC's AtermIT65Pro series of TAs are notable for having three analog ports. They can handle 64K or 128K connections, and have a battery pack. The PC-IT65D1P, with internal DSU, is priced at ¥55,800. The PC-IT65S1P - similar, but without an internal DSU - retails for ¥42,800. For information, contact NEC at 0120-36-1138.

• Motorola's BitSURFER Pro - with internal DSU, or as a TA alone - has two analog ports. The BitSURFER Pro can handle 64K or 128K connections, but it does not come with a battery back. These Motorola TAs are open priced, but typical street price for the TA-with-DSU model is about ¥38,000, while the TA-only model goes for about ¥25,000. For information, contact the distributor, NextCom, at 03-5469-7640.

• Oki Tec, Ltd., offers several PCLINK models. The TA322DSU TA with DSU has two analog ports and supports 64K and 128K connections. Retail price is ¥46,800. A TA-only model, the TA212, supports 64K only and is priced at ¥39,800. Neither model has a battery pack. A DSU-only unit (the DSU01) for use only with Oki Tec TAs is sold separately for ¥15,200. For information, contact Oki Tec at 0120-29-6007.

• Suntac's TS128JX/D TA with internal DSU has two analog ports and can handle 64K and 128K connection. Retail price is ´46,800. Suntac's TS128GA2M is a TA with built-in 33.6K-bps fax modem. t supports NTT's caller ID service, and the LCD display will show phone charges and other information. This model may be purchased alone for ¥49,800, or as a set with an external DSU (open priced). Both models come with battery pack. For information, contact Suntac at 0120-86-3810.

• NTT-TE offers TAs that have two analog ports and handle 64K and 128K connections. All models have back-up batteries. The MN128-V3/DSU TA with internal DSU retails for ¥49,800. The MN-128/SOHO, which functions as an ISDN router, TA, and 10base-T Ethernet hub, sells for ¥59,800 without DSU and ¥69,800 with internal DSU.

Business-use ISDN
For businesses that will use their ISDN connection heavily, NTT now offers a special "Digital Access" menu. For a fixed monthly rate, the business user can make unlimited use of a 64K or 128K ISDN line within a prescribed radius.

The NTT Digital Access 64K and 128K flat monthly fees are ¥28,000 and ¥38,000, respectively, for up to 15 km, and ¥42,000 and ¥65,000, respectively, for distances of 15-to-30 km. Compare this with an estimated cost of ¥24,860 per month for 120 minutes a day connect time with a regular 64K ISDN line, and ¥29,260 per month for 150 hours, and it is clear that Digital Access is an economical option for heavy users.

With the regular (type 1) service plan, service calls about outages are accepted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but repairs will be carried out only during normal business hours (9 AM to 5 PM) For an extra ¥3,000 per month for type 2 service, outages will be repaired outside of normal business hours as well.

Whether you're a dedicated Web surfer or a business user, ISDN is a fast and often economical option, one that offers both high-speed Internet connection and an "extra" phone line. Even though new technologies such as ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) or cable modems may be on the horizon, ISDN still wins hands down. It's not expensive, it's here now, and it works!

A comparison of NTT INS-Net 64 Lite and Regular ISDN (INS-Net 64)
One-time set-up fees
	INS-Net 64 Lite	INS-Net 64
Phone line deposit	¥0	¥72,000
Contract fee	¥800	¥800
Installation	¥2,000	¥0
Monthly fees
Business	¥4,270	¥3,630
Home	¥3,470	¥2,830
(plus normal phone charges)